The Tennessee Titans pulled off the NFL Draft shock of the year. With their second round pick, they drafted Oluwafemi Oladejo 52nd overall. This decision comes at a very opportune time for the Titans, who desperately want to improve their edge-rushing talent. With a background as a middle linebacker and a growing reputation as a talented pass rusher, Oladejo presents an exciting opportunity for the team.
At 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds, Oluwafemi Oladejo is built for the position. As a sprinter, when competing at the collegiate level for Cal in outdoors and UCLA in indoors, he admired his superb athleticism. In college, he started two years at middle linebacker for Cal. Passing down specialist. During his senior season at UCLA, he made the full-time switch to pass rusher. He may not be the most experienced player in this position, but his innate ability to rush quarterbacks is just too glaring to ignore. Scouts have certainly been paying close attention.
The Titans made one of the shrewdest trades in memory by moving down heavily in the draft. While they could have picked Donovan Ezeiruaku, this was an unequivocally smart decision to guarantee Oladejo. This decision speaks to their faith in Oladejo becoming a terrifying outside pass rusher. The Titans recognized Oladejo’s ability to pressure quarterbacks and his unique technique, particularly his go-to move: the cross-chop.
At training camp, Oladejo was making some noise in one-on-one pass-rushing drills. He violently deflected a pass from quarterback Cameron Ward right at the line of scrimmage. This monster play should’ve given him credit for a would-be sack. The 6-7 Oladejo seems to be thriving in his new off-ball role. His body of work thus far indicates that he’s well outpacing the Titans’ timetable for his growth at this point in time.
During his preparation for this transition, Oladejo took an analytic approach to watching every elite pass rusher in the league. He has analyzed the techniques of players such as T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, Jonathan Greenard, Danielle Hunter, and Aldon Smith. This deep commitment to learning is indicative of his passion to continue refining his skills and making a positive impact on the field. Even when having to think through multiple scenarios and game plans on a play, Oladejo has proven he can play with speed and instinct.
More than just his great athleticism, Oladejo wants to impact the people around him in a good way. His character and leadership qualities will serve the Titans well. They want to foster a collaborative, challenging, and energizing culture of teamwork. Off the field, Oladejo is an outspoken activist who will continue to be an agent of change. He was one of the biggest reasons why the Titans had success.
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